Enterprise by Nissim Ezekiel Summary
Nissim Ezekiel’s poem “Enterprise” was written in the 1950s and was later published in his poetry collection “The Unfinished Man” (1960).
Ezekiel, an Indian poet writing in English, was known for his simple yet profound style, often exploring themes of human struggle, identity, and existential questions. “Enterprise” is one of his most famous poems and is frequently studied as a commentary on the challenges of life, ambition, and disillusionment.
The poem “Enterprise” tells the story of a group of people who set out on a journey, full of hope and enthusiasm. They believe their journey is important and will bring great meaning to their lives. At first, everything goes well. They enjoy their trip, observe many things, and take notes about the people, animals, and cities they visit.
However, as they continue, problems start to arise. The sun becomes very hot, making the journey difficult. The travelers begin to argue over how to move forward. One of their best members, who was a talented writer, decides to leave them. This loss makes the group feel sad and discouraged.
As they move ahead, they face more challenges. They are attacked twice, which makes them lose their way. Some members of the group decide to leave, choosing to go in different directions. The leader remains hopeful, saying that he can smell the sea, but the others are too tired to believe him.
The travelers become weak and hopeless. They don’t even care when they hear thunder, and they are deprived of basic needs like soap. Some members are physically and emotionally broken, while others manage to keep going despite their struggles.
Finally, they reach their destination, but they feel no sense of achievement. They don’t understand why they made the journey in the first place. Their faces have darkened from the hardships, and they realize that their efforts were neither great nor special. The poem ends with an important message: true happiness and meaning are not always found in ambitious journeys but in finding peace at home, where we must learn to gather grace.
This poem teaches that life’s struggles often make us realize that home and inner peace are more valuable than external achievements.
Key Points
Author: Nissim Ezekiel
Nissim Ezekiel (1924–2004) was an Indian poet, playwright, and essayist who wrote in English.
His poetry often explored human struggles, identity, spirituality, and disillusionment.
Enterprise is one of his best-known poems, presenting a symbolic journey that reflects the challenges and failures of human ambition.
Structure and Form
The poem consists of six stanzas, each containing five lines (quintains).
The rhyme scheme is ABABA, creating a rhythmic flow that complements the narrative style of the poem.
The controlled structure contrasts with the chaotic experiences of the travelers, emphasizing the growing sense of disorder and futility.
Speaker
The poem is narrated by one of the travelers, who reflects on the journey from excitement to disappointment.
Initially optimistic, he gradually becomes disillusioned as conflicts and hardships break the group apart.
By the end, his tone is resigned, as he realizes the meaninglessness of their efforts.
Setting
The journey takes place in an unspecified landscape, which includes:
A desert (symbolizing hardships and struggles).
Three cities (possibly places of knowledge, spirituality, or civilization).
The sea (mentioned metaphorically), which represents a final goal or hope.
The lack of specific locations gives the poem a universal appeal, making it applicable to any human endeavor or life journey.
Themes
i. The Journey as a Metaphor for Life
The journey represents human aspirations and the pursuit of meaning.
What begins as an exciting mission ends in disillusionment, showing how life often fails to meet expectations.
ii. Disillusionment and the Loss of Purpose
Initially, the group is motivated and united, but as difficulties arise, they begin to lose faith in their purpose.
By the time they reach their destination, they no longer understand why they started.
iii. The Failure of Human Ambition
The travelers set out with high hopes, believing their journey will lead to something great.
In the end, they realize their efforts were “neither great nor rare,” implying that their struggles were ordinary and unremarkable.
iv. Conflict and Division
The group initially stands together, but internal disagreements arise.
Some leave, others lose hope, and a talented friend abandons them, showing how struggles break relationships and test unity.
v. The Role of Suffering in Human Experience
The travelers endure physical hardships (heat, exhaustion, deprivation) and mental struggles (loss of faith, despair).
Some are completely broken, while others barely survive, showing how people react differently to adversity.
vi. The Importance of Home and Inner Peace
The final line, “Home is where we have to gather grace,” suggests that:
True fulfillment is found in simple, everyday life, not in distant pursuits.
One must seek meaning within rather than through external journeys.
Plot
1. Initial Enthusiasm and Hope
The group begins its journey with excitement, believing in a noble purpose.
They observe peasants, animals, and sages, documenting their experiences with interest.
2. The First Signs of Trouble
Conflicts emerge when the travelers disagree on how to cross a desert.
A talented friend leaves, weakening the group’s morale.
3. Hardships and Attacks
The group is attacked twice, symbolizing unexpected struggles.
Some travelers abandon the mission, showing a loss of unity and purpose.
The speaker tries to pray for guidance, but it does not help.
4. Total Disillusionment and Hopelessness
The group stops noticing their surroundings, showing mental exhaustion.
They ignore thunder (a warning or divine sign), indicating their complete detachment from reality.
Basic necessities like soap are missing, symbolizing the loss of dignity and self-care.
Some members are completely broken, while others are barely holding on.
5. The Arrival Without Purpose
The travelers finally reach their destination but feel no sense of accomplishment.
Their faces are darkened, symbolizing exhaustion, sadness, and disillusionment.
They realize that their journey was not remarkable, but rather an ordinary struggle.
6. The Final Realization
The poem ends with the realization that true fulfillment lies at home.
The journey was unnecessary; meaning must be found within oneself.
Tone
Optimistic at the beginning – The travelers are excited and hopeful.
Conflicted in the middle – Challenges, conflicts, and doubts emerge.
Despairing and reflective at the end – The speaker realizes their journey was pointless.
Style and Literary Devices
i. Symbolism
The desert – Represents difficulties, challenges, and existential struggles.
The thunder – A warning, possibly divine intervention, that they ignore.
The sea – Hope or the ultimate goal, though its reality is uncertain.
Soap – Basic human dignity and self-care, which they lose along the way.
Home – A place of true peace and fulfillment, contrasting with the empty struggles of the journey.
ii. Imagery
The poet creates vivid images of suffering, exhaustion, and despair:
“The sun beat down to match our rage” (harsh environment mirroring inner struggles).
“A straggling crowd of little hope” (people moving without purpose).
“The trip had darkened every face” (physical and emotional exhaustion).
iii. Irony
The journey was supposed to be meaningful, but in the end, it led to nothing special.
The leader “smells the sea”, but it is unclear whether they actually reach it.
The travelers set out to achieve greatness, but their efforts are “neither great nor rare.”
iv. Enjambment
The continuation of lines without full stops mimics the flow of the journey, making the struggles feel unending.
Message
Grand ambitions often lead to disappointment.
Hardships test relationships, and not everyone survives the same way.
True meaning and fulfillment are found in home and inner peace, not in distant pursuits.
Nissim Ezekiel
Introduction
Nissim Ezekiel (1924–2004) was an Indian poet, playwright, essayist, and critic.
He is regarded as the father of modern Indian English poetry, as he played a crucial role in shaping its growth.
His works explore themes of identity, human struggles, spirituality, irony, and Indian culture.
Through his simple yet profound writing, he captured the realities of life and the complexities of human nature.
Early Life and Education
Born on December 16, 1924, in Bombay (now Mumbai), India.
He came from a Bene-Israeli Jewish family, which influenced his themes of cultural and personal identity.
He studied English literature and philosophy at Wilson College, Mumbai.
Later, he went to Birkbeck College, University of London (1948–1952) to study further but soon returned to India.
Literary Career and Contributions
In 1952, he published his first poetry collection, A Time to Change, marking the beginning of modern Indian poetry in English.
Over the years, he became a leading figure in Indian literature, working as a poet, editor, professor, and critic.
He edited major literary magazines like Quest and Imprint, where he supported new Indian writers.
Ezekiel’s poetry is deeply personal and reflective, but it also comments on Indian society, culture, and human nature.
His poems are known for their sharp observations, humor, and philosophical depth.
Major Themes in His Poetry
i. Indian Identity and Society
His poetry reflects Indian life, traditions, and cultural contradictions.
He portrays both the beauty and flaws of Indian society in a realistic yet satirical manner.
ii. Spirituality and Self-Discovery
Many of his poems explore faith, doubt, and the search for meaning in life.
He questions religious rituals, human suffering, and the role of God in daily life.
iii. Human Struggles and Disillusionment
His works often depict the struggles of ordinary people, their ambitions, failures, and existential crises.
Poems like Enterprise show how big dreams often lead to disappointment.
iv. Irony and Satire
Ezekiel uses humor and irony to criticize social customs, religious hypocrisy, and blind faith.
His writing is simple yet thought-provoking, making his messages powerful and relatable.
Notable Works
i. Poetry Collections
A Time to Change (1952) – His first poetry collection, focusing on self-discovery and Indian identity.
Sixty Poems (1953) – A collection of poems about emotions, relationships, and society.
The Unfinished Man (1960) – Includes Enterprise, one of his most famous poems.
The Exact Name (1965) – A collection reflecting philosophical thoughts and personal struggles.
Hymns in Darkness (1976) – A mix of religious questioning and modern-day themes.
Latter-Day Psalms (1982) – A collection inspired by Biblical psalms but with modern themes.
ii. Famous Poems
Enterprise – A metaphorical journey that ends in disappointment, showing how ambitions can fail.
Night of the Scorpion – Describes his mother being bitten by a scorpion and the reactions of villagers, highlighting faith, fear, and suffering.
Background, Casually – A semi-autobiographical poem about his Jewish identity and struggles in India.
Goodbye Party for Miss Pushpa T.S. – A humorous poem that mimics Indian English expressions.
Achievements and Recognition
Sahitya Akademi Award (1983) – One of India’s highest literary honors.
Padma Shri (1988) – Awarded by the Government of India for his contributions to literature.
His works became a significant part of Indian English literature syllabuses in schools and universities.
Later Life and Death
In his later years, he suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, which affected his writing.
He passed away on January 9, 2004, in Mumbai, India.
Legacy and Influence
Nissim Ezekiel transformed Indian poetry in English, making it more personal, realistic, and relevant.
He influenced many Indian poets like R. Parthasarathy, A.K. Ramanujan, and Dom Moraes.
His poems continue to be widely studied, admired, and relevant in modern times.
Conclusion
Nissim Ezekiel was a pioneer of Indian English poetry, capturing the realities of Indian society, human emotions, and spiritual dilemmas.
His poetry remains timeless, as it speaks about universal themes of ambition, failure, faith, and identity.
He is remembered as a poet who gave Indian English poetry its modern voice and depth.
Word Meaning
| Tough Word | Meaning in English | Meaning in Hindi |
| Enterprise | A difficult or important project or journey | प्रयास / उद्यम |
| Pilgrimage | A journey to a holy place for religious reasons | तीर्थ यात्रा |
| Exalting | Praising or glorifying something | महिमामंडित करना / प्रशंसा करना |
| Beat down | To strike hard (as the sun beating down) | तेज़ धूप पड़ना |
| Rage | Extreme anger or fury | क्रोध / गुस्सा |
| Put down | To write or record something | लिखना / दर्ज करना |
| Copious | Large in quantity or abundant | बहुत अधिक / प्रचुर मात्रा में |
| Peasants | Poor farmers or rural workers | किसान / ग्रामीण श्रमिक |
| Serpents | Snakes; often symbolizes deception | सांप / नाग |
| Sage | A wise or learned person | ऋषि / ज्ञानी व्यक्ति |
| Desert patch | A dry and barren piece of land | रेगिस्तान का टुकड़ा |
| Prose | Written or spoken language in normal form (not poetry) | गद्य |
| Liberty | Freedom or independence | स्वतंत्रता |
| Smelt | To perceive a scent or smell something | सूंघना |
| Straggling | Moving in a slow, scattered, or untidy way | इधर-उधर बिखरकर चलना |
| Thunder | A loud sound during a storm | गरज / बिजली की गड़गड़ाहट |
| Deprived | Lacking something essential | वंचित |
| Merely | Just; only | मात्र / केवल |
| Deeds | Actions or achievements | कार्य / कर्म |
| Gather | To collect or bring together | इकट्ठा करना |
| Grace | Elegance, kindness, or divine blessing | कृपा / आशीर्वाद |
